Antitumor Properties of Curcumin in Breast Cancer Based on Preclinical Studies: A Systematic Review
by
, , , and
Kênia Alves Barcelos
1,2,*
,
Carolina Rodrigues Mendonça
3,
Matias Noll
3,4,5
,
Ana Flávia Botelho
1,
Cristiane Raquel Dias Francischini
1 and
Marco Augusto Machado Silva
1,* 1
Postgraduate Program of Animal Science, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás 74690-900, Brazil
2
Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Rio Verde—UniRV, Rio de Janeiro 75901-970, Brazil
3
Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás 74605-050, Brazil
4
Instituto Federal Goiano (IF Goiano), Goiás 74270-040, Brazil
5
Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cancers 2022, 14(9), 2165; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14092165
Submission received: 2 March 2022
/
Revised: 14 April 2022
/
Accepted: 18 April 2022
/
Published: 26 April 2022
Simple Summary
Natural formulations and phytotherapies have shown promising antitumor activities. This review assesses the antitumor effects of curcumin on breast cancer. In particular, we discuss the effects of curcumin on the proliferation, viability, and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lineages and tumor volume. Studies have shown that curcumin administered at different concentrations inhibited proliferation, decreased viability, and induced apoptosis in human and animal breast cancer cells. Nanoparticle formulations of curcumin administered orally, via implant, or intraperitoneally reduced the tumor volume of human and murine mammary cells in vivo. Moreover, curcumin nanoformulations facilitate tumor growth inhibition in animal models of breast cancer. Randomized clinical trials are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin formulations for clinical use.
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common neoplasms among women. Anticancer strategies using natural formulations and phytotherapies are promising antitumor treatment alternatives. This review assesses the antitumor effects of curcumin on breast cancer reported in preclinical in vitro and in vivo animal models. We used five databases to search for preclinical studies published up to May 2021. The assessments included the effects of curcumin on the proliferation, viability, and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lineages and on tumor volume. In total, 60 articles met the inclusion criteria. Curcumin administered at different concentrations and via different routes of administration inhibited proliferation, decreased viability, and induced apoptosis in human and animal breast cancer cells. Nanoparticle formulations of curcumin administered orally, via implant, and intraperitoneally reduced the tumor volume of human and murine mammary cells in vivo. Moreover, curcumin nanoformulations exert positive effects on tumor growth inhibition in animal models of breast cancer. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin formulations for clinical use.
Keywords:
turmeric; anticancer; breast tumor; in vitro; in vivo; nanoparticles
